What kinda oil do you guys used?

 

I'm using Mobil One 5w-30.

 

Red Line 5w30

 

I run Royal Purple 5W-30.
It really is purple

 

5w-30 mobil one

 

Now i imagine everybody here so far does their own oil changes. Two quick questions.

THis one is especially to the Mobil One users, i started doing changes at 5k miles. What does your oil look like coming out? I know going in its a pretty dark honey color, I don't expect it to come out looking like that but it came out pitch black. Normal?

Also does anybody have any idea's on how NOT to give have your engine an oil bath when you remove the oil filter???? I end up spending most of my time wiping up the mess the oil filter leaves behind...

 

I was told just today that if you unscrew the canister just enough to break the oring seal, the oil in the filter will drain down into the pan. Haven't had a chance to try it myself.

Mobil 1, Royal Purple and Redline are good choices if you want to spend the money on synthetic. I try not to put too much thought into it, and have been buying Mini oil (Castrol I think) with my filters, for convenience sake if nothing else.

 

Redline 5W30

 

5w-30 mobil one

early_apex & Thameth, Yes that does work, not a even a drop spilled.

 

I use Mobil 1 5w-30. It's arguably the best of the mass market oils. I'd use Redline if it weren't $8 a quart.

 

i just changed my oil for the 1st time i did the crack the oil filter housing without spilling a drop of oil...i first took the oil drain out and let it drain for a while then cracked open the cannister for the filted just a little and let the oil drain a little while longer with the drain plug still out i then took the filter cannister off and went on with the iol change probably the harfest thing was putting the filter cannister back on took a small bucket of **###***words to get it back on but it did and no muss no fuss......by the way mobil 1 5w30........

 

I change my oil often in the MINI. A couple of things... Yes, the oil looks pretty black and soupy... that's normal, and why I change it every 5000 miles instead of the prescribed 10,000. The trick to not making a mess... I layout an old sheet, folded twice, on the ground, set up the ramps around it and drive the MINI up, after taking it for a spin to warm up the old oil. Set the drain pan underneath. And the trick! Take a bunch of paper towels, like 5 and jam them under the oil filter BEFORE unscrewing it. Now unscrew the filter cap, oil will be absorbed by the towels! Using a plastic bag, over your hand, reach down and unscrew the filter cap completely, and pull it into the plastic bag nice and neat. Grasp the filter element and pull it off, dropping it in the bag. Set everything aside for a minute, and scurry under the MINI. Unscrew the oil drain, or just move the lever if you happen to have one of those cool drain thingies. Drain the oil in to your pan, making sure to line it up and account for windage, etc. go back to the filter cap. I like to clean the filter cap thoroughly with paper towels, wiping it out nicely. Once it's clean, press the new element in and screw the cap in place mostly by hand. You can wrench it the last quarter turn or so, but not so tight that you strip the threads. By now the oil is drained, wipe things down below, including the drain plug, replace the plug (or close the valve) and tidy up. Add oil, checking the dip stick after the 4th quart, till the level is just to the max line and your done! Clean up, bottle up the used oil to drop off at Jiffy Lube (if they won't take it, I just line the bottles up neatly out back after hours...) and use the $100 you just saved to take your SO out for a nice dinner!

 

How much is Royal purple?

 

You know you got to start it before you check the oil level right? If you fill the oil up to the max before starting it then the oil level will be low. The filter is going to take a half a quart or so of oil. My MINI holds 5 qts of oil and I assume everyone elses is the same.

I am using Amsoil 5w40 currently but I am going to switch to 0w30 next time.

 

I recently saw a study which found that it's better NOT to change synthetic oil frequently. For whatever reason, fresh syn oil doesn't lubricate as well as "seasoned" oil. According to this study, at least, you're better off just replenishing the oil as it is consumed and making less frequent changes.

 

keep the oil, change the filter every 6k

 

I'm using Shell Helix Ultra 5W-40. I'm changing the oil every 4,000 to 6,000 miles or when ever I feel like changing it. So far so good for 32,000 miles.

Cheers,

Steven

 

Mobil 1 5-30w... just a word of warning though to some newbies out there..... just make sure that the canister is aligned when you try to screw it back on.... It took a few tries for me to get it straight....... don't force it if it doesn't thread correctly........

 

Amsoil Syn

 

Should the filter cap be tightened to only hand tight?

 

Amsoil 5w-30

 

I always tight it with the ratchet for the last bit, just to be sure!

 

Like everything there's a torque spec, but it's pretty low for this one. I think it's 18 lbs/ft, but don't have my torque sheet handy to verify.

 

Currently using Mobil 1 0W-40 European car formula.